Following one particularly disabling back issue (I was tossing fire wood from the back of a pick up into a shed) I yelled out and fell to the ground. I could not move initially due to pain. It took me at least ten minutes to figure out how I could get into the car so the wife could get me to town to dr. - and it was on a Saturday. The 45 minute drive to town was excruciating Then I needed a wheel chair to get from the car to the dr office, and then when I stood up in his office I fell and knocked a bunch of stuff off of a book case. Anyway, got a shot of demerol, prescription for vicodin, and flexeril, later a prescription for oxycontin. I was really laid up. I refer it to voluntary paralysis because you won't move due to the pain.
I hated the drugs - called and told dr the drugs depressed me and I would no longer take the oxycontin and tossed it. Kept the vicodin and flexeril.
I was referred to a back dr who was against long term drug use for back issues. He had me on a treatment regimen that involved stretching me twice a week - I think for about 4 weeks. I would stand with my back to an upright table which would slowly go horizontal. Then I was strapped in from hips down, and shoulders up. The machine attached to the straps would then very slowly stretch me. Stretch me and stop. Stretch me some more and stop - again and again for about 45 minutes. I did not sense I was getting longer or that I was actually stretched until the tension on the straps were released at the very end and then I could really sense my length shortening. A strange feeling.
This was supposed to open up the back vertebrae so the tissue could be hydrated - at least that is what I recall the theory was. Anyway, it provided great relief and I no longer needed to periodically take the drugs. After that I did some easy yoga (old man's yoga) and easy stretching and have come to believe that the stretching I now do every morning is very helpful.
All that it involves is standing and reaching high with both arms toward the ceiling - really, really reaching. And then reaching with one arm and then the other, and tilting to one side and then the other. Takes 5-10 minutes. I think this also would hydrate the tissue between the vertebrae. I have many fewer minor back issues and have so far avoided any serious back episodes. Everybody is different but this worked for me - along with being less foolish about what I attempt to do. I have had one more nagging back episode for which I received PT - which due to a great PT technician really helped put thing back together.
